The first scholarship programme to support an Israeli at a British university has welcomed its inaugural student.
Elad Almog will spend a year studying for a Masters in international hotel and tourism marketing at Oxford Brookes University as part of the Scholarship for Israel scheme.
The Ben Gurion University graduate will then return to his job at Be’ersheva’s municipal tourism department and work to bring sustainable international tourism to the area.
Mr Almog arrived in Oxford a month ago with his wife Orit and baby daughter Ela. A special event was held at the university on Thursday evening to welcome the family.
The scheme was initiated by members of Oxford Jewish Community who worked with Oxford Brookes and University Jewish Chaplaincy’s Rabbi Daniel Braune Friedman to raise the £20,000 needed to fund Mr Almog’s studies for a year.
“I think an integral part of developing southern Israel is developing a global reach and network, and I believe that my time at Oxford Brookes will be a first and significant step in this direction.”
Mr Almog said: “My wife and I already feel the community’s wholehearted generosity and warm embrace. It is a real honour and pleasure to be the first recipient of this scholarship.
“I think an integral part of developing southern Israel is developing a global reach and network, and I believe that my time at Oxford Brookes will be a first and significant step in this direction.”
Sandra Dwek, part of the working group which helped secure the scholarship, said: “Elad is an excellent student and has brought a lot of goodwill from Israel. It was hard work getting the idea to be accepted by people.
“The scholarship is already creating a better understanding between students and between the faculties and creating a close friendship between Israel and the university. We are delighted.”
